Michigan shooting spree suspect competent for trial

FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2012 booking photo provided by the Livingston County Sheriff, Raulie Casteel is shown. in a booking mug Nov. 7, 2012, in Howell, Mich. A forensic competency examination found Raulie Casteel fit for trial on charges brought by the state attorney general's office. The findings were discussed at a hearing Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 in Howell District Court. Casteel faces 60 counts in Oakland County, including assault with intent to murder. The AG's office brought a terrorism charge against him. Authorities say the 43-year-old shot at cars along Interstate 96 in October. (AP Photo/Livingston County Sheriffís Department)

HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — A man charged with terrorism in a shooting spree that targeted motorists along a highway corridor in four Michigan counties was found competent to stand trial on Wednesday.

A forensic competency examination found Raulie Casteel fit for trial on charges brought by the state attorney general’s office, according to Howell District Judge Carol Sue Reader, who discussed the issue during a hearing Wednesday. Those charges include assault with intent to murder, terrorism and several gun crimes.

Casteel faces a similar set of charges in Oakland County. A competency hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Novi District Court in that case, but the findings are expected to be the same.

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The 43-year-old unemployed geologist didn’t appear at Wednesday’s hearing in Howell but is expected to be present for the Oakland County hearing. He’s being held in the Oakland County jail. A date had not been set for Casteel’s preliminary examination in the case brought by the attorney general’s office.

Authorities have not said what they believe is the motive behind the two-dozen shootings in October across a broad swath of southern Michigan. Only one injury occurred — a man was shot in the buttocks.

Attorney General Bill Schuette late last year announced he was taking over the cases at the request of prosecutors in Livingston, Ingham and Shiawassee counties and brought new charges, including terrorism.

Schuette’s spokeswoman, Joy Yearout, said after Wednesday’s hearing that she expects prosecutors to gain a conviction on the terrorism count.

“(The shootings) really affected thousands of people. Thousands of people were terrorized,” she said. “If you don’t charge terrorism here, what are you waiting for?”

Casteel’s attorney, Charles Groh, said he had no comment on the charges against his client, but that “we’re pursuing all possible defenses.”

Casteel faces 60 charges in Oakland County, including eight counts of assault with intent to murder, in connection with shootings in Commerce Township and in Wixom, where Casteel lived with his wife, daughter and in-laws.

He could be sentenced to up to life in prison if convicted of any of the attempted murder counts he faces in Oakland County. The terrorism and attempted murder counts that the state filed also carry a possible life sentence.

On professional websites, Casteel described himself as a geologist and soil scientist with experience in environmental cleanup. He’s a Michigan native who lived in Taylorsville, Ky., before returning to his home state last year.